Middle-order Yorkshiremen are shaping up well

England have had to work hard to take a 2-1 lead in the Test series against Pakistan and bookmakers don’t expect them to throw away their advantage at The Oval, where the fourth and final Test starts this morning.

Outplayed in the first Test at Lord’s, England left it late at Edgbaston last time out, drifting to 15-2 in-play on the final day before reducing Pakistan from 79-1 to 201 all out.

England’s victory margin of 141 runs didn’t reflect the competitive nature of the contest – Pakistan started the third day as 11-10 favourites for the Test – but the home side won crucial sessions to take charge of the series.